A man who was pastor and then pastor emeritus at the Westside's Pikes Peak United Methodist Church for over half a century passed away Nov. 26.
Memorial services for Rev. Glenn Omer McPherson will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 at the church, 2927 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
McPherson, 98, was born Jan. 29, 1912, in Colorado Springs, a son of the late Guy Omer and Cora Vinette Phillips McPherson. He graduated from Colorado
Springs High School in 1932, York (Nebraska) College in 1938 and United Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 1943.

A 1939 photo of Glenn McPherson and his wife Audrey.

Previously provided by Glenn McPherson

Glenn McPherson in 2008.

Westside Pioneer file photo

After serving 15 years as a minister in Peetz, Colo., McPherson came to Pikes Peak United Methodist (then the Evangelical United Brethren Church) in 1958. His
21-year tenure included the 1968 merger with the United Methodist Church that gave Pikes Peak its current name.
Retiring as pastor in 1979, he became pastor emeritus, serving as a substitute minister and performing funerals and weddings and even teaching bible study classes into
his 90s.
He had been a member of the Focus Camera Club and the Colorado Springs Alumni Association. Another interest was growing flowers, for which he won awards at
county and state fairs.
“He was such a nice man, the most genuinely pure man I've ever known,” recalled Crystal Miller, who had known him since she was a small child in the late 1950s,
when McPherson and his wife Audrey (who preceded him in death) babysat her. “He was my Christian mentor, and probably also was to many, many people.”
In an interview with the Westside Pioneer in 2008, McPherson recalled a story about first coming to Pikes Peak United Methodist.
One church member had constructed a pedestal ahead of time for McPherson (who was not much over 5 feet tall), to stand on behind the pulpit. “The word had
gotten out, he smiled, that the new preacher 'is a short guy.'”
Another excerpt from that interview: “He also believes in personal improvement, even though the years have taken away much of his mobility and most of his eyesight
and he also needs to stay on oxygen. 'I've tried to be better every year,' said McPherson, who now lives at the Village at Skyline retirement facility. 'It's my goal, and
I'm still at it.' ”
Also interviewed for that story in 2008, long-time church member LaVada Brown spoke highly of the pastor emeritus: “Many members will recall times when he
touched our lives and he responded promptly with love, humility and understanding.”
In years past, Pikes Peak United Methodist has honored McPherson's legacy with permanent improvements in the building. The Memorial Windows created above
the altar in 1970 are in memory of Audrey, and the Prayer Chapel's “Remember the Lilies” window was dedicated to him in 1997.
The reverend is survived by his daughter Sharon of Villa Rica, Ga.; his son Paul of Milwaukee, Wisc.; 6 grandchildren and 10 great- grandchildren.
Along with his wife Audrey, McPherson was preceded in death by his brother Willard and sisters May and Pearl.
Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.